1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wicked Good Debut, November 26, 2006
This review is from: Down to the Dirt (Paperback)
Though I suspect Hynes might cringe to hear it, his debut novel greatly reminded me of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting. Both are first time books by non-writers who struggled with many of the same problems as the anti-hero protagonist (Welsh and heroin, Hynes and alcohol). Both books take the reader into more or less previously unknown territory (Scotland's slums in Trainspotting, Newfoundland's Southern Shore here). Both books are dark comedies assembled in very loose episodic vignettes, some of which are narrated by other characters. Both books revel in local speech rhythms and slang (don't worry, the slang here is less prevalent than in Trainspotting, much easier to follow, and Irish in origin). But most importantly, both books quiver with life and are excellent.
At the core of the stories is Keith Kavanagh, whom we watch drink, smoke, steal, and fight his way from from early teenagerhood to early adulthood. The first chapter more or less sets the tone for things to come, as it involves the hunt for an old woman's missing finger and 13-year-old Keith losing his virginity to a single mother in a squalid cabin. Next, we get the perspective of Keith's childhood best friend Andy, who relates tales of early violence and later arson on Keith's part. The third chapter introduces Natasha, a teenage nymphet with problems of her own, who is drawn to devil-may-care Keith. Chapter four establishes their relationship -- but is not for the faint of heart or animal-loving -- as Natasha and Keith bond over the attempted mercy-killing of her sister's sick cat. Next is a Andy-narrated brief diversion into youth hockey, where Keith plays as if "in constant competition with his own penalties-per-minute record." ( As another reviewer astutely points out, this is very much akin to his approach to life in general.)
Natasha narrates chapter six, in which she and Keith get in trouble for swiping her father's sex toy. Then we get a relatively calm rumination from Keith about his life's path and the insecurities this has bred. His life starts a steep decline at this point, as we see him go on welfare, getting totally drunk, on the run from the law, fighting with Natasha, kicked out of his parent's house, and moving to St. John's. The final two chapters, which comprise about a quarter of the book hone in on Keith and Natasha's relationship and Keith's depression and alcoholism. When she takes a break and spends a few months in Halifax, his decline reaches critical mass. And for all Keith's self-destructive awful behavior, it's hard not to root for him, even as he pulls himself further down into the dirt. His self-awareness and lack of self-pity (he's fully aware that he creates his own problems) mark him as more than your standard-issue fictional alcoholic. And while he may be depressed about parts of his life, he is, on the whole, remarkably upbeat. The book ends on an ambiguous note, but don't worry, Keith is apparently going to be a part of Hynes next book. And that's a book I'll definitely be watching for, because this is a great debut -- one that deserves wide readership.
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book, Great read, I couldn't put it DOWN!!!, April 28, 2004
This book is a great book, with great characters. Keith the main character made me feel what it was like to be 16 again. I read this in 2 days or so, minus, the school i did, and the bathroom breaks. I could not put this book down. I even Laughed out loud in some parts, and that alone makes me excited about another book. BUY THIS BOOK!!
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